In those January wins over Wisconsin, Iowa and Michigan State, Stauskas jacked 14.3 shots per game. It was fruitful freewheeling. He averaged 22.7 points per game during the stretch.

The gaudy numbers have been cut in half since.

Over the last five games, Stauskas is averaging 11.2 points on 6.8 shots per game. Michigan is 3-2 in that span.

The difference has been equal parts attention and apprehension.

Opposing teams have adopted a don't-let-Stauskas-beat-us approach to defense, throwing face-guarding defenders, double-team matchups and a more physical style at the Wolverines' leading scorer.

The result has been a lack of breathing room, let alone shooting space. Cramped and crowded, he's often passed up taking contested shots, choosing instead to defer. That's been if he touches the ball at all. Many possessions have come and gone without Stauskas ever handling the ball.

"He can do this," Beilein said Friday of Stauskas dealing with aggressive defenses. "(We've) just got to keep prompting him to be aggressive offensively. He needs to be aggressive. He’s a heck of a shooter and he’s got to have this mentality: It can’t be a perfect night, I’m not going to make every shot, I’m not going to make any if I don’t take them."

Four games ago, Stauskas was chased like a mouse by Indiana's Yogi Ferrell and attempted only three shots. One game later, he deferred to teammates, taking only three shots, but handing out nine assists. One games after that, he was limited to six attempts by Iowa's Devyn Marble.

Stauskas scored 25 points, total, in the three games and made only two 3-pointers.

Against, Ohio State on Tuesday, though, Stauskas managed an efficient 15 points on 4-for-9 shooting and three made 3s. He took and made a few contested jumpers, including an early 3-pointer with Buckeyes guard Aaron Craft in pursuit.

"Just hitting that first shot was really big for (Stauskas) because he can do that," Beilein said. "He’s played against really good defenders this year and he’s been able to get his own shot."

Even with a quiet two weeks, Stauskas still ranks first in the Big Ten in 3-point percentage (.447), third in 3-pointers made (2.4 per game), fifth in scoring (16.9 ppg) and 11th in assists (3.5 apg).